Jeff Burgar

So-called “wokeism,” Diversity, Equity Inclusion (DEI) ideas, the “settler colonial” mentality, the perennial “victimhood” industry, and even the whole transgender, cisgender, tampons in boy’s rooms, etc., etc. is under fire.

Few Canadians have bad feelings toward any minority group, except those viewed as hostile to the Canadian way of life. If that way of life has to be explained, well, that’s seen by many as just part of a disease pushing the limits of tolerance for everyday Canadians.

A few years ago certain thoughts, if spoken aloud, would be quickly dismissed or attacked as garbage red-necked yammerings, anti-gay B.S., or uninformed racism.

Looking back on many such accusations and labelling over the past few years, it has to be said, far more than half were simply people playing politics, trying to shame their fellow citizens for some kind of angle.

So, if you don’t have an answer for a legitimate question about merit, the questioner must be a racist. Someone speaks against endless handouts? They must be an uncaring human wretch. If you think a few bad apple cops acted up, your answer is defund the entire police organization.

If you want to lend a helping hand, well, vote for this party, because that party over there wants to starve the homeless.

If you think world peace is near, and all kinds of guns are just bad anyway, take more money from the military and give it to helping hand organizers. As long as votes are at stake, an awful lot of people will sell their souls to get into office and stay there.

The result is predicted. Eventually, pendulums swing the other way. At least, so says the outrage felt by many Canadians against a few recent happenings.

Item: The playing of what is labelled a Palestinian theme song as the sole music at a school Remembrance Day ceremony. The principal responsible said Remembrance Day is too much about “some white guy who did something in the military.”

Item: The university formerly known as Ryerson (name changed because of “colonial” associations of its namesake) declaring that admissions to its medical school would be based on race, and not on academic scores.

Item: Another school asking Veterans attending a Remembrance Day ceremony to not wear their uniforms, as it might trigger feelings of unease among some students.

Item: A Member of Parliament wearing a watermelon pin (a symbol of solidarity with Palestinian causes) in the House, when political displays are banned.

Item: MP Randy Boissenault, a “pretendian” finally succumbs to pressure and quits Cabinet.

A year ago, such actions would barely merit notice in our Canadian media. In fact, some outlets are still completely ignoring them. This, even while many institutions themselves are floundering or backtracking, wondering, have they really gone too far down the road to “crazy town?”

Or are criticisms like the above just another backlash by the ignorant and uninformed?